Rash of vehicle vandalism, break-ins reported in Springfield, East Longmeadow and Hampden

Submitted photoThe rear window of a Honda CRV in Hampden was among those smashed in an apparent vandalism spree late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. Numerous reports were taken by police in Springfield and East Longmeadow and at least one in Hampden.

Authorities have yet to link a rash of vehicle break-ins and vandalism in Springfield, East Longmeadow and Hampden, but the incidents were all reported early Tuesday and occurred within the same general area, according to police reports.

East Longmeadow police fielded multiple calls of cars being entered or vandalized and assisted Hampden police with an incident near the East Longmeadow line. In that case, the rear window of a car parked in a driveway on Mill Road was shattered. The homeowner heard the incident and went to investigate, discovering a shattered window and a rock on the back seat of the vehicle. A Hampden officer speculated that a wrist rocket or slingshot was probably used to fire the projectile through the window.

Springfield police reported similar crimes occurring to vehicles parked in driveways and along side streets near the East Longmeadow line just a few miles from the Hampden incident.

Springfield Police Sgt. John M. Delaney said the damage occurred along Ellendale Circle and White Oak Road, streets in the city's outlying Sixteen Acres neighborhood. Around eight cars were targeted in the apparent spree, including multiple reports of smashed windows, Delaney said. The incidents likely happened late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, he said.

The Hampden incident was reported around 4:30 a.m. It was followed by a half-dozen East Longmeadow reports of vehicle vandalism or break-ins and several more reports in Springfield.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Springfield Police Department at (413) 787-6355, the East Longmeadow Police Department at (413) 525-5440, and the Hampden Police Department at (413) 566-8011.